Drivers of the No. 43 in NASCAR history

Thursday, May 18, 2017

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The No. 43 car has been in 2,023 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, and Richard Petty has been behind the wheel for 1,125 of them. In 2018, Darrell Wallace Jr. will pilot the car. Here's a look back at some of the No. 43 drivers, from the 1950s to present day.

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Richard Petty, 1959-1992

There were a handful of other drivers during this time, but Petty dominated as driver of the No. 43 for nearly 35 years.

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Petty's first win in the car came in 1960 at Charlotte. This photo is of Petty's 1964 Plymouth, in which he won the Daytona 500.

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The 'King' raised plenty of trophies in his iconic NASCAR career.

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Richard Petty and his 1957 Oldsmobile convertible at the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.

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Richard Petty (No. 43) rides outside of David Pearson in this 1967 race at Asheville-Weaverville Speedway.

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As familiar as seeing that sharp 'No. 43' was the blue-and-red paint scheme.

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Richard Petty, 1987

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Richard Petty recorded his 200th and final, NASCAR win at the 1984 Firecracker 400.

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Lee Petty, 1959-60

Richard's father Lee Petty drove the No. 43 three times during his career, winning once at North Wilkesboro in 1959.

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Maurice Petty, 1961-63

He made the NASCAR Hall of Fame thanks to his ingenuity in the shop, but Maurice Petty (right) also drove four races in the No. 43.

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Kyle Petty, 1981

Yes, it's a family affair. Richard's son Kyle Petty made one start in the No. 43, at Riverside.

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John Andretti, 1994, 1998-2003

Andretti drove two stints for Richard Petty, finishing the 1994 season in place of Wally Dallenbach Jr. (who started the first 20 races of the 1994 season). Andretti's 197 starts in the No. 43 is second-most to Petty himself, and he won at Martinsville in 1999.

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Bobby Hamilton, 1995-1997

Three years in the No. 43 produced two victories for Bobby Hamilton.

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Hamilton won at Phoenix in 1996 (pictured) and Rockingham in 1997.

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Bobby Hamilton and Richard Petty, 1997

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Bobby Labonte, 2006-2008

Labonte followed Jeff Green in the No. 43 and made 108 starts over three years.

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AJ Allmendinger, 2010-11

Allmendinger replaced Reed Sorenson in the ride in 2010.

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The 'King' and the 'Dinger share a laugh.

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Aric Almirola, 2012-2017

Almirola has made 199 starts in the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports.

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Almirola has one win during that span, at Daytona in 2014. He is the 43rd driver to pilot the No. 43.

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Regan Smith made two starts subbing for an injured Aric Almirola.

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Darrell 'Bubba' Wallace Jr. made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut at Pocono, subbing for an injured Aric Almirola this season and made four starts in total.

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On Oct. 25, Richard Petty Motorsports and Darrell Wallace Jr. announced they reached a deal for him to the drive the iconic No. 43 full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2018. Richard Petty Motorsports will have a new alliance with Richard Childress Racing and is set to field a Chevrolet next season.

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